He refused to believe that Isolde’s behavior was improper, however.
“That’s ridiculous,” he said. “She was likely just being friendly.”
Cassian shrugged.
“I suppose you won’t believe me, but she said some quite suggestive things to me as well. I would have thought she knew better than to try such things with a friend of yours, but like I say, she is not exactly behaving within the bounds of propriety.”
Thaddeus suddenly couldn’t be in the conversation anymore. He couldn’t think about Isolde pursuing other men, or the things she might be saying to them as she did.
“Ridiculous,” he said again. “I’m sure you were mistaken.”
And before Cassian could reply, he gave his horse a leading kick and rode away.
Chapter 13
It had been hours since Thaddeus and the others had left on the hunt, but Isolde was still buzzing from the moment they’d shared in the courtyard.
The way he’d leaned into her, so close she could feel the heat from his body, and the look in his eyes – her stomach was full of butterflies.
She lost at every game they played because she could not keep her mind on anything but what he might wish to talk to her about. Still, Cornelia was having a marvelous time and seemed to have made many new friends, and that made Isolde smile.
When they sat down to lunch, she was relieved to see she’d been seated with Tatiana and Annora, along with another lady at the party whom she did not know. Then Lady Bradshaw swept over and took the last seat at the table, and her mood dipped. Still, she reasoned with herself that she had not had much interaction with the lady herself, and perhaps she should give the woman a chance before deciding she disliked her.
“Miss Fairchild, I can’t help but confess that I think you ever so lucky,” the unknown lady at their table said. Isolde had somehow missed her name while lost in her thoughts. “It was long rumored that the marquess did not intend to marry at all,and yet you have stolen his heart!” The young woman looked a bit starry-eyed. Tatiana and Annora both smiled, Tatiana in her sweet way, and Annora giving Isolde a more knowing glance. But Lady Bradshaw gave the biggest smile.
“Yes, indeed, Miss Fairchild,” she said, “it was quite the sudden turnaround. I think you must tell us how you managed to capture his heart so quickly. Why, I’ve known him for ages, and I only learned of your name after the engagement.”
Isolde sucked in a breath, feeling the chill of Lady Bradshaw’s words despite her smile. The woman leaned in and continued.
“In fact, I’ve decided you must have some kind of magic. Nearly all the gentlemen in attendance here seem to have equally fallen for you.” It seemed like a compliment, but the words made a bitter feeling slide through Isolde, as though they contained a hidden poison.
“I’m sure that isn’t the case, Lady Bradshaw,” she stammered, “though you are so kind to say so. I can’t really say how it came to be. I had met Lord Hartington a few times, as the meadow at the edge of the estate borders my house as well. When we met again as adults, we realized we had something special between us, and before I knew it, we were engaged.” Isolde hoped she was being convincing. She had never been particularly good at lying.
“Well, that’s a relief,” Lady Bradshaw said, sitting back with a smile still on her lips. “My cousin Lord Cassian – who is LordHartington’s good friend, as I’m sure you know – had intimated a very wild story to me about the origin of your engagement, involving a bet at the gentleman’s club.”
Isolde felt herself turn scarlet, mortified. She had not expected Lady Bradshaw to know about that and certainly had not expected her to bring it up in conversation!
“Don’t be ridiculous!” Annora said, laughing. “How on earth could a bet result in a marriage proposal?” She made it seem like such a silly idea, and Isolde felt a rush of gratitude for her cousin – but at the same time, her mortification increased.
Annora’s lie was believable because itwassuch a laughable idea. And yet, it was what had happened. She had nearly forgotten how she got here, and that the marquess had won her hand in a game of cards, like property.
She had been so excited to meet him later, to speak with him alone about this important matter he alluded to – but what if her intuition was wrong, and it wasn’t anything exciting or to do with his feelings? Perhaps he only felt their plan was going too slowly and wanted to strategize about how to move it along.
The thought tied her stomach in knots, and she frowned to herself.
Get ahold of yourself, Isolde! You can’t let some silly infatuation with the marquess distract you from finding a good match,someone who is well situated enough to offer help and shelter to you, and especially to Cornelia. Getting her out of harm’s way should be your focus.
She sighed, thinking of everything Thomas had told her. Yes, she had gotten too distracted. She needed to work toward finding a match, someone who would hopefully love her enough to allow her to bring Cornelia with her to their new home, out of her father’s clutches for good.
After the meal had finished, Annora pulled Isolde off to a bench in the corner of the garden.
“I just needed to tell you not to pay any attention to Lady Bradshaw!” she said, her face now much angrier than the facade she’d put up during the luncheon. “I’ve met her a few times over the years, and she’s always struck me as bitter and ambitious.”
Isolde appreciated her cousin for trying to soothe her concerns, but she didn’t want to think about it anymore. Whatever was or was not happening between Lady Bradshaw and Thaddeus, it was none of her business.
“Don’t worry about me, Annora,” she said, shaking her head as if to shake away the thoughts that troubled her. “I’ve already told you, there is nothing romantic between me and the marquess.”
She could tell Annora wanted to say more, so she changed the subject.
